About the Role
The Senior Project Associate will be responsible for overseeing Busra’s Social Cohesion portfolio, with a primary focus on directing multi-method research initiatives and capacity-building initiatives alongside civil society organizations (CSOs) and government agencies across East Africa. The role seeks to cultivate a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing civic engagement behaviors and to translate these insights into actionable strategies that CSOs and government agencies can use to enhance social cohesion, civic engagement, and participation throughout the region. Additionally, the Senior Project Associate will spearhead the design, testing, and ongoing management of various tools designed to support the portfolio’s objectives, while also strategically overseeing capacity-strengthening efforts throughout the region.
The Senior Project Associate serves as the primary project manager for dedicated external Busra projects, swiftly cultivating deep expertise in intricate challenges to deliver engagements with precision, adhering to strict timing and budgetary constraints. Leveraging all available resources, they design innovative yet rigorous solutions tailored to client and partner requirements while fostering strong internal and external relationships through strategic vision and unwavering professionalism.
Senior Project Associates collaborate with the Projects Division and other teams at Busra, providing senior-level coordination and management of staff while contributing strategic oversight to project design and stakeholder engagement.
We are seeking a results-driven professional to lead core project initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives while driving efficiency and accountability. The ideal candidate will oversee project planning, execution, and monitoring, identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies to maintain timelines and budgets. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential to foster communication and ensure seamless integration of deliverables. Additionally, the role requires meticulous documentation of progress, stakeholder engagement, and adherence to best practices in project management. Proficiency in relevant tools and methodologies, such as Agile or Waterfall, is a must, alongside strong analytical and problem-solving skills to navigate challenges effectively.
The Senior Project Associate will collaborate extensively with Busra offices and engage directly with academic researchers and advisory clients to execute a broad range of responsibilities, which include but are not limited to:
Design and execution of research projects is a key responsibility, requiring meticulous planning and strategic implementation to achieve precise objectives. This role demands proficient analytical skills to interpret complex data, along with the ability to develop innovative methodologies to address research challenges. Candidates must demonstrate expertise in both quantitative and qualitative approaches, ensuring rigor and validity in all findings. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential to align research initiatives with organizational goals, while strong communication skills are necessary to present insights and recommendations effectively. Familiarity with statistical software, research databases, and industry best practices is required to support data-driven decision-making.
Conduct comprehensive research initiatives from inception to conclusion, encompassing research design, thorough literature reviews, qualitative interviews, data collection, in-depth analysis, reporting, and dissemination of findings.
Design and develop comprehensive mixed-method research frameworks specifically aligned with Busra’s initiatives in fostering social cohesion.
Lead the coordination of workshops involving senior-level stakeholders to collaboratively develop interventions grounded in empirical evidence, project data insights, and established research findings.
Facilitate the development, implementation, and sharing of Busra Social Cohesion research initiatives.
Formulating and executing strategies to guarantee that research outputs reach and influence key stakeholder groups effectively is essential.
We are seeking a dynamic professional to lead our Capacity Strengthening & Training initiatives, driving impactful learning and development programs to enhance organizational capabilities. The ideal candidate will design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive training frameworks, ensuring alignment with strategic goals while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Responsibilities include identifying skill gaps, delivering engaging workshops, and measuring training effectiveness through robust assessment methods. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in training, education, or organizational development is required, along with proficiency in instructional design and strong facilitation skills. Proficiency in using learning management systems and data analytics tools to track progress and outcomes is essential. This role demands exceptional communication, adaptability, and a passion for empowering teams through targeted professional growth opportunities.
Spearhead the development and execution of training programs and assessment systems for civil society organizations (CSOs) and collaborating entities.
Provide guidance and mentorship to fellow Associates and Analysts by conducting training sessions and leading facilitative workshops.
Enhance the skills and capabilities of civil society organizations and public sector professionals to effectively integrate behavioral insights and research-based evidence into their program design and implementation efforts.
Direct the design, evaluation, and distribution of capacity-building tools and resources.
Effectively oversees project execution and stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and timely delivery of outcomes. Manages cross-functional teams, coordinates resources, and mitigates risks to maintain project momentum. Engages stakeholders at all levels, fostering transparent communication and addressing concerns proactively. Analyzes project performance, identifies improvement areas, and implements corrective actions as needed. Requires strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and proficiency in project management methodologies to drive successful outcomes.
Plan, oversee, and deliver both external and internal initiatives autonomously, from initial conception to final completion, with minimal oversight.
Act as the main liaison for clients and partners while expertly addressing stakeholder requirements through forward-thinking communication and issue resolution.
Develop and nurture connections across the stakeholder and funder network while continuously monitoring emerging trends that influence Busra’s strategies for fostering social cohesion.
Direct and oversee team members in executing regional activities, ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment with organizational objectives.
Deliver consistent and prompt progress reports to fellow team members as well as project leadership.
Collaborate effectively with finance teams to guarantee prompt adherence to funder specifications, project budgets, and other financial obligations.
Oversee project timelines, deliverables, reports, and staffing to ensure seamless execution and alignment with organizational objectives.
Assist in facilitating the seamless integration and transition of projects within the knowledge management framework, ensuring efficient onboarding and offboarding processes.
Professionally guide or collaborate with fellow Associates in meeting all research and engagement obligations.
Execute any additional responsibilities as directed by the project supervisor.
Core organizational responsibilities include overseeing strategic planning, ensuring operational efficiency, and fostering cross-departmental collaboration to align business objectives with company goals. This role demands meticulous project management, adept resource allocation, and a commitment to process optimization to enhance productivity and drive sustainable growth. Additionally, the position requires maintaining robust communication channels, adhering to compliance standards, and implementing best practices in governance to uphold organizational integrity and accountability.
In addition to their project duties, Senior Project Associates uphold critical organizational responsibilities to foster a dynamic and well-functioning workplace.
Collaborate closely with the Associate team to facilitate goal-setting initiatives, establish objectives and key results (OKRs), and organize team-building activities.
Design and deliver skills-enhancement workshops specifically tailored for Associate and Analyst teams, assuming a leadership role in both planning and execution.
Facilitate collaboration among diverse organizational teams to cultivate a unified and productive workplace culture.
Prepare and finalize necessary focus contracts, conduct thorough performance reviews, and deliver timely progress snapshots.
Provide support for and actively promote internal initiatives as required.
Act as professional and intellectual role models for Analysts and Officers, fostering their growth and development through mentorship.
Participate on internal committees as needed to contribute to organizational initiatives and decision-making processes.
A strong background in [relevant field or industry] is required, along with demonstrated expertise in [specific skills or competencies]. The ideal candidate will possess [X years] of experience in [related job function or role], preferably with a proven track record in [specific achievement or responsibility]. Excellent communication and organizational abilities are essential, along with the capacity to [specific task or duty]. Familiarity with [specific tools, software, or methodologies] is highly desirable, and the ability to [additional requirement] will be advantageous. Additionally, prior experience in [industry-specific or role-specific context] is preferred.
Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, two years of industry experience, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential, along with a commitment to meeting deadlines. Previous experience in project coordination or a similar role is preferred. The position requires a detail-oriented approach, adaptability to changing priorities, and a collaborative mindset to thrive in a team environment.
Professional candidates must possess valid work authorization in Kenya or demonstrate a willingness to relocate to Kenya for the position.
With a minimum of seven years of professional experience in social cohesion, peace building, civic engagement, governance, or a related discipline, candidates should bring a strong background to the role.
Proven track record in delivering organizational training and/or capacity-building initiatives tailored for civil society organizations and/or government sector stakeholders.
Proficient in both English and Kiswahili, with strong oral and written communication abilities.
We seek a candidate with exceptional interpersonal abilities and strong communication skills, enabling effective engagement with a broad spectrum of stakeholders from varied cultural backgrounds and professional sectors.
Capable of leading both individual and collaborative sessions, along with delivering clear and compelling oral presentations with confidence.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in cultivating and sustaining strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including partner organizations and institutional donors.
Proven ability to organize and lead intricate, multi-stakeholder initiatives with exceptional project management expertise.
Proactive and highly adaptable, capable of prioritizing and executing multiple responsibilities effectively within a dynamic and high-pressure setting.
Proven capability to deliver projects with an international perspective while supporting the organization’s strategic initiatives and long-term planning.
Seeking candidates with the following qualifications: a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; 3+ years of experience in software development; proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++; strong problem-solving and analytical skills; excellent communication and teamwork abilities; and familiarity with Agile methodologies and version control systems.
Experienced professionals with a background in crafting policy briefs or research communications tailored for non-technical audiences are encouraged to apply.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams within research-oriented or consulting environments is required.
Proficiency in behavioral science research methodologies, particularly randomized controlled trials (RCTs), is essential.
Proficiency in quantitative analysis tools, including STATE or R, and data collection platforms like Survey CTO, is essential.
Professional candidates must have demonstrated experience collaborating with civil society organizations or governmental entities across East Africa.
Candidates should hold an advanced degree in social sciences, public policy, development studies, or a comparable discipline.
Experience leading the creation and implementation of products and tools designed to enhance organizational capabilities and performance.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
7 years
